Deadline looms for public input on BELA Act draft regulations

The Department of Basic Education will close public comments on the draft Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act regulations on 5 September at 23:59.

In August, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube gazetted two sets of draft regulations for public input.

These draft regulations set out guidelines on public school admissions and capacity.

WHY SHOULD THE PUBLIC COMMENT?

Basic Education believes these regulations will provide a uniform framework for public school learner admissions and set rules for classroom capacity.

The proposed regulations directly address issues such as school zoning, learner documentation, overcrowding, admission refusals, and inadequate infrastructure.

They build on the recent implementation of the BELA Act (2024) and revise the South African Schools Act (1996) to ensure proper application.

Through these measures, the regulations seek to strengthen and improve South Africa’s education system.

THE DRAFT REGULATIONS IN A NUTSHELL

The regulations assign the provincial head of department (HOD) the responsibility to coordinate learner admissions in public schools, working alongside school governing bodies.

They cap classroom sizes at 40 learners to introduce standardisation, and they require all learners to submit proof of immunisation, with exemptions allowed on medical, religious, or cultural grounds.

The BELA draft regulations also provide flexibility by allowing applications from outside designated feeder zones, giving parents and learners more options in school admissions.

There is also a requirement for schools to have proper admission records, including registers and other documentation.

Moreover, it seeks to allow the admission of learners without the required documents.

The department believes this uniformity will prevent discriminatory practices in schools.

WHERE TO SEND PUBLIC COMMENTS?

The government has stipulated that all interested individuals should submit their public comments by post to;

Private Bag X895
Pretoria
0001

Or hand-deliver them to the Department of Basic Education office at 222 Struben Street, Pretoria, 0001.

Additionally, individuals can also email public comments to AdmissionRegz@dbe.gov.za

When submitting the written comments, participants should address the letter or email to the department’s director of legal services, Zukile Ntshwanti.

The department further says it won’t consider public comments received after the due date.